Photo Caption A:(Above, left to right) Roger Bodman, Esq., Senior Partner, and Bill Maer, Esq., Partner, both of Public Strategies Impact; and John Galandak, President, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, at the 15th Annual Post-Election event hosted by Berkeley College and held at the Brownstone in Paterson, NJ.

The challenge of bringing people together echoed in the discussion at the 15th Annual Post-Election event hosted by Berkeley College at the Brownstone in Paterson, NJ, on November 9, 2016. More than 150 people – which included Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, John Currie, as well as members from the business, civic and college community, heard from experienced political experts and business representatives, including John Galandak, President, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ); Roger Bodman, Esq., Senior Partner, and Bill Maer, Esq., Partner, both of Public Strategies Impact.

Mr. Galandak served as moderator. “If the vision for a better country had driven the campaign from the beginning, we would not have gotten off to such a start that made voting against someone the choice, instead of voting for something,” he said. “The biggest challenge we have now is bringing people together.”

The experts agreed it is likely that Governor Chris Christie will leave his office as Governor to continue helping President-Elect Donald Trump with his transition team, in which case Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno will carry out the responsibilities as Governor.

While campaign subjects such as tax reduction, job creation and infrastructure were brought up, the experts were unsure how a fiscally mindful Congress would consider funding these ideas.

“Maybe repatriating money from off-shore business could jumpstart it,” said Mr. Galandak.

When Rosie Grant, Executive Director of the Paterson Education Fund, asked, “As a black immigrant woman living in the United States, what can I expect from a Trump presidency?” Mr. Bodman said, “His first speech was positive. I am hoping what he said during the campaign was just rhetoric. I hope cool heads prevail, and that he operates in a presidential manner, and that members of Congress and others in his Cabinet treat people the way they should be treated.”

Berkeley College Honors student Anya Polanco, Class of 2018, asked how students and higher education would be affected.

“People were enthused over the idea of change, but the election has consequences, not only for businesses, our state and our country, but also how our government operates,” Mr. Maer said. “I assume those who will do well are the people who see change in their respective sectors. The jury is still out, and this is going to take a while.” He suggested that dismantling Obamacare might be the first issue addressed.

Two Berkeley College students attending the event, Itaty Vasquez of Paterson, and Ali Sbeih of Princeton and Paterson, both Class of 2018, expressed concern over the presidential election results. “I am disappointed and sad,” Ms. Vasquez said. “I was happy when I voted,” Mr. Sbeih said. “Now I am disappointed because Mr. Trump is an excellent leader, just not as the President. I think he scares people. He scares me the most.”

During the question-and-answer discussion, the sentiment was shared by another audience member who asked about how Mr. Trump’s views on immigration would be implemented. He expressed concern and stated he is a tax-paying immigrant. “I expect the administration would tighten and enforce rules for getting legal and proper entry into the country. I hope that the immigration process would be a compassionate one leading to citizenship,” said Mr. Bodman.

Photo Caption C: (Left to right)At the 15th Annual Post-Election event hosted by Berkeley College on November 9, 2016 at the Brownstone in Paterson, NJ, are Michael J. Smith, President of Berkeley College; John Galandak, President, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey; Kevin Luing, Board Chairman, Berkeley College; Teri Duda, Senior Vice President, Berkeley College Government Relations; Roger Bodman, Esq., Senior Partner; and Bill Maer, Esq., Partner, both of Public Strategies Impact.

Mr. Bodman has appeared as a political commentator for NJTV for more than 20 years. He managed former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean’s successful 1981 campaign for Governor and served as State Commissioner of Transportation and State Commissioner of Labor. Mr. Maer served as an Aide to former Governor James Florio and as Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr.

A leader in providing career-focused education since 1931, Berkeley College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and enrolls more than 8,000 students – including more than 600 international students – in its Master, Baccalaureate and Associate degree and Certificate programs. Students can study in more than 20 career fields. Berkeley College is comprised of the Larry L. Luing School of Business®, the School of Professional Studies, the School of Health Studies, and the School of Liberal Arts. The School of Graduate Studies offers a Master of Business Administration degree in Management online and in Woodland Park, NJ.

Berkeley College has five New Jersey campuses – Dover, Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park. In New York there are three campuses – Midtown Manhattan, Brooklyn and White Plains. Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. In 2016, U.S. News & World Report named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, both for the third consecutive year. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu.